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One of our most prolific seasons was 77/78 - just 5 friendlies* played in those sensible times - 5 goals in 5 - we followed it with 83 in 42 league matches (the same as Sutton last season)

* We followed the 5 friendlies with a 2 legged SL Cup tie with Yeovil and failed to score in both!

I see GO is now stating in the Chronicle that his target for the remaining 3 friendlies of this endless pre-season is to get the players through unscathed!

It isn't about how many you score in pre-season it is what the players look like. Dave Pratt couldn't hit a cow's backside with a banjo in friendlies and he continued throughout the seamson in much the same vein. Meanwhile this time Big Chas looks lean and fit as does McCootie and I expect more from both in terms of consistency. Batten is shaping up nicely too and will be better for some consistency around him. We are short of full backs and that indicates we may move to three at the back.

Also I'm not into cricket and so friendlies are not interminable for me. Nor I suspect for a few others as gates have been healthy.

I can assure you that my interest in cricket is not the reason for my dislike of friendlies! However, for those who enjoy them, it's good that there's so many to attend.

Strongly disagree though that you can glean anything from players' performances or looks (!) in these games. I would think some find it difficult to motivate themselves fully (especially those from league clubs), tackling is nowhere near as intense as in league games, while most players only spend about 45 mins on the pitch.

I look forward to my first view of the new lean and fit McCootie at Margate....

I'm sure as usual, we will see chops and changes to the line up in the early proper matches as the management seek the best combination. My view of McCootie is that he tends to coast and needs real competition for his place. I hope the other two can provide that.

Agree about competition for places, vital...but who, out of the other three / four...Josh, Marvin and Stuart, maybe Andy also (he said he likes to play upfront)...don't you count as worthy to challenge Nick?

Huth not present for the Shortwood and Oxford games....I assume that he's got other irons in the fire now. It was wishful thinking he'd sign for us.....having said that Manny and (particularly) Batten looked good today.

Probably though those 2 were the lowest level opposition we will face. If he isnt there for the Bristol City game that will be it I imagine. Anyway glad that the City line up will have some more physicalty this season as opposed to gawping at the comparative size of the oppostion every week.

Yes, he seems to have made much more of an impression than Kaid, who stopped in shortly during pre-season at Torquay....

Quite honestly I am not surprised Kaid Mohammed has left after a short trial. I watched his contribution at Tiverton and I can only say is this is another example of player who held out for a better deal only to find himself without a club on the cusp of the season starting. A shadow of the player he was last time around. I am please KN has seen that he didn't really want to be here and would have simply collected a payslip without any real value. Another good decision by KN.